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Arlington Moves To Ban Texting While Driving

ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) – Most cities in North Texas have banned cell phone use in school zones, but now Arlington looks set to be the first city to ban texting while driving. The Arlington City Council moved forward with the plan on Tuesday night, passing the proposal on a first vote of 4 to 3.

Under the proposed plan, drivers who are caught texting or sending email within the city limits would be fined $200.

Arlington residents packed the city council meeting on Tuesday night to debate the issue.

Some residents aruged that the ban would keep drivers safe. “Distracted driving is the number one cause of accidents, and cell phones are the number one driving distraction. We ban cell phones in our school zones to protect children, but adults are not expendable either.”

Other residents feel like the ban is a violation of their rights. “You already have distracted driving ordinances that allow the police to pull you over if you’re driving unsafely. I don’t know what you’re accomplishing. I don’t know why you’re doing this. I wish you all would take care of basic services and leave people like me alone.”

I think any use of a cell phone (talking or texting) should be banned while driving. I don’t see how it is an “infringement” on a person’s rights. Does that mena that you also have the right to drink and drive and kill someone? Because, in my opinion (anyone is welcome to disagree), they are both dangerous and potentially deadly. If you’re talking on a phone while driving, how are you completely focused on the road? We can educate people about the dangers until we’re blue in the face, that won’t stop them. Hit them in the wallet (traffic fines and car inurance) and their driving record, and then they’ll listen.

Driving to and from work has got to be the most dangerous thing I do every day. I cannot tell you the number of times I have almost been side-swiped by someone who is texting or talking on a cell phone. People who ‘think’ they can text and drive or talk on their cell phone and drive are utter and complete morons. They are putting the rest of us in danger and they need to be stopped. If they are aware that they will be fined if caught texting while driving, they may curb their bad habits.

As Jim Morrison sang, “Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel”. Why is that so hard for some people to figure out? If you have so much important information to pass out through phone calls and texts, stay home or at the office until you’re done.